Palin: Phil Simms or David Carr?

Ambinder has a report from Josh Green, talking to Republicans in Minneapolis, that contradicts the main thrust in the media that the Palin pick has gone over swimmingly with the GOP base. Folks at the convention seem to be a bit worried that they'd never heard of her before.

Most Republicans have never met Sarah Palin and are processing the news of her selection as VP with the stunned-but-well-meaning emotions you might feel toward an acquaintance who just came out of the closet. Those given to caution when discussing such things at a brunch with journalists put a hopeful, might-be-a-stroke-of-genius spin on their astonishment. Those less inhibited--who are also better people--generally see the pick as irresponsible and politically motivated (and not in a good way). No one believes Palin was fully vetted. And no one has any idea how this will play out.

The best analogy I heard came from a bright young Republican operative, who--borrowing from the sports world, as the secret Republican-operative rulebook stipulates one must--likened the Palin pick to an NFL team using the top pick in the draft to select an unheralded, but promising, player from a small college. Looks great on paper: you just hope and pray they can adjust to the speed of the professional game.

So is Palin Phil Simms (from Morehead State, lead the Giants to a couple Super Bowls) or David Carr (Fresno State, currently backing up Eli Manning, on his third team in two years)?